Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects the joints, usually attacks the hands and feet first. As the disease progresses, however, it can affect your entire body. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis typically relies on specialized medications to slow the progression of the disease, along with steroids and painkillers. Inversion tables provide an alternative therapy that may help relieve your symptoms temporarily.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Effects
The effects of rheumatoid arthritis become more severe as the disease progresses. Rheumatoid arthritis starts as swelling of the synovial lining of your joints. This swelling may cause stiffness, pain, redness, swelling or a feeling of warmth. If treatment fails to work, the bones and cartilage in your joints begin to erode. Eventually, you experience increased pain, decreased joint mobility and changes in the shape and alignment of your joint.
Inversion Table Purpose
The theory behind inversion tables is to decompress the joints. The inverted position decreases the amount of compression on the joint by allowing the body's weight to apply traction. This traction may allow water and other nutrients to enter the joint space, according to Dr. Daniel R. Fassett, the director of Spinal Surgery at the Illinois Neurological in Peoria, Ilinois. He goes on to state that this may help limit the degenerative process in its early stages. Inversion may also decrease pain associated with joint compression as degeneration progresses.
Inversion Risks
Inversion presents several risks to those with certain health conditions. Inversion can cause your heartbeat to slow and your blood pressure to increase, making this method dangerous for anyone with cardiovascular disease or increased pressure within the eyes. Dr. Perry Chinn, a chiropractor at Interurban Chiropractic in Seatle, Washington, states that joints "were not designed to bear axial stress in the inverted position." He states that the stress caused by inversion can cause joints to stretch beyond their limit and result in unstable joints.
Procedure
Prior to practicing inversion for any joint problem, seek evaluation from a specialist to ensure you do not have neurological involvement or the risk of increase joint injury, advises Dr. Rick Delamarter, the vice chair for Spine Services at the Department of Surgery and medical director at the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. If you get approval to start inversion therapy, begin at an incline of 20 to 30 degrees and do not stay inclined for more than five to 10 minutes. Once your body adjusts to this degree of incline, start increasing your incline by five degrees every two to three days. Do not exceed a maximum of 60-degrees incline or stay inclined for more than 15 to 20 minutes, advises Dr. Robert Hayden, a chiropractor who runs a private practice in Griffin, Georgia. If you feel faint at any time, reduce your rate of incline.
References
- Dr. Perry Chinn; Interurban Chiropractic; Seatle, Washington
- Dr. Rick Delamarter; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Los Angeles, California
- Daniel R. Fassett; Illinois Neurological; Peoria, Illinois
- MayoClinic.com: Inversion Therapy
- MayoClinic.com: Rhematoid Arthritis Treatments and Drugs
- Arthritis Foundation: What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis
